Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 9:45 p.m. in "The City."

A current temperature of 69° is being reported by the NWS in GR. That 69° feels like 69° even with the 13 mph winds. 

Several statements, watches, and advisories go into effect tomorrow beginning @ 7:00 a.m. and ending on Wednesday @ 1:00 a.m., and from 7:00 p.m. 

There will be a Small Craft Advisory in effect from St. Joseph to GH , with wind speeds from the south up to 30 knots and waves from two to four feet in height. In addition, there will also be a Gale Watch also in effect from St. Joseph to GH. Wind speeds may be as high as 40 knots and waves ay reach from four to six feet.

Finally, there is also a Lakeshore Flood Statement in effect tomorrow, beginning  @ 7:00 p.m. and continuing until 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, for Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties. A strong possibility exists for erosion of lakeshore properties and dunes as part of that statement.

Yesterday afternoon, we decided to take a trip to the Spring Lake Township Cemetery located on Fruitport Rd.in Spring Lake. The oldest part of the cemetery, which we visited, is located east of Fruitport Rd. It was originally established in the 1800s and the name was changed from Oakwood Cemetery to its current name, Spring Lake Township Cemetery, in the early 1900s.

While we were there, I took many pix of things and markers that we found interesting.

As we traveled Savidge St. in Spring Lake, this cloud formation caught my eye.

As did this one. 

This seems like nothing more than a boulder from this angle. 

But in reality, it is part of a monument for Mr. Thomas M. Nelson, born in Lakeville, MA, who moved first to Chicago, then to Fruitport. in Spring Lake Township. The boulder was originally located on the Nelson  Homestead in Assawompsett Neck in Plymouth Colony, MA.

Many markers in this part of the cemetery were badly damaged due to age or other factors.

Some had initials that referred to names on a larger marker nearby.

While other markers may have simply been vandalized. 

The Savidge family, for whom the main road through Spring Lake is named, features prominently in the history of Spring Lake, MI. Spring Lake was originally named Mill Point, MI, due to the presence of the lumber mills that milled much of the lumber for Chicago following the Chicago Fire in October, 1871, which lasted three days. More than 17,500, mostly wooden buildings, were destroyed over those three days. Much of Spring Lake is built atop the sawdust that was created as the lumber was milled, then loaded aboard ships in GH, and then sent across Lake Michigan to Chicago.

The O'Connells have a large plot in the cemetery.

Baskets of varying sizes are seen throughout the cemetery from this small one,

To this very large one.

And one of a medium size too. 

The only marker we saw with this shape.

One more fallen marker, probably vandalized too. 

We couldn't decide if this marker from the mid-1800s had fallen, or if it was intentionally placed this way. 

When we got back home, I took a pic of the area between the garage of our neighbor to the east and our own garage. 

In the foreground, is the VW taxi we got from Steph and Adam's place in South Haven. 

Also after we got home, Mary went with Ginger to the big-box nearly everything store for a pickup, while I stayed behind and made more of my famous vegan Italian meatballs, six of which became part of Mary's secret recipe pasta sauce, served over Chickapea spaghetti noodles. Since those noodles are made from chickpeas and lentils, Ginger won't eat that type of noodle until it is cooked. However, she will eat whole wheat noodles, whether dry or cooked. Who says dog's have no sense of taste? 

Oh, I almost forgot, Mary and Ginger were going to make a stop at the City Beach on their way home, but according to Mary, it looked like most of the people in GH and Ottawa, County had the same idea. So instead, she and Ginger ended up at the Lake Forest Cemetery for a walkabout. 

Tomorrow, I have an appointment in Muskegon in the late afternoon, but before that I have to take advantage of the warm temperatures to place some hooks on the front porch of the manse to hang my Christmas lights after Thanksgiving. That's the earliest I am allowed to begin my annual Christmas decorating.

The sun will rise today @ 7:30 a.m. and set later @ 5:26 p.m. 

Sadly. or not, I awoke this early a.m. to the sound of the train heading north on the RSTL. I was already at my desk last night @ 11:35 p.m. when I saw the passage of MMRR locomotives 2019 and 2057 heading south, towing nine CHCs, six DBTCs, and three DWTCs.

Then earlier this morning @ 4:52 a.m., O observed that same tandem of locomotives heading north, with 12 CHCs, three DBTCs, one DWTC, and 27 CGCs (Covered Gondola Cars) in tow. 

The CGCs I mentioned, looked just like the one pictured here. 

Revised/updated  @ 5:37 a.m. Tuesday. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 11:45 p.m. in "The City."

We did it! We bathed two fur-children and trimmed one. Score: humans 2/3, fur-children 2/3. All good. 

We have a current temperature of 64° that feels like 64° with only a nine mph wind blowing. There are no alerts in effect.

Tomorrow, the sun will rise @ 7:29 a.m. and set later @ 5:27 p.m. In between, the high temperature is forecast to reach 69° under partly-sunny skies. The forecast low for tomorrow night is 61°. Tuesday's high is forecast to reach 68°, albeit with a 60% chance of T-storms in the afternoon. Not bad bad for the second full week in November. However, as of Wednesday, it looks like I'll finally have to give up my summer uniform for the year. Sigh.

Once again, I was prescient, in that I didn't watch the now 5 - 4 Bears fall to the 6 - 2 Titans by a final score of 17 - 24. I also didn't watch the 3 - 5 Lions succumb to the 3 - 5 Vikings, 20 - 34. The time I saved allowed us to groom our fur-children and enjoy the weather in the great outdoors.

In fact, we left the fur-children at home pre-grooming and took a ride around GH. We stopped at the Grand Haven State Park and I took some great pix there. Then, we cruised over to Duncan Woods and two of our vacation abodes from the time when we were not residents, but mere tourists. 

 Lake Michigan was calm and the temperatures were warm, so people were on the pier.

Some pix need no explanation.

Same here.

What's left of one of our vacation rentals. We don't recall its name.

The house is a total loss, and will soon be torn down. 

Nearby, is what was known as Margaritaville, another vacation rental. 

This playground is at the north end of Hatton Park and was installed relatively recently.

Of course, we also stopped at Duncan Woods for some pix there too.

In Duncan Woods, the trees and leaves are left to return to the soil over time.

But before they do, they are very scenic.

Indeed!

Again, left to naturally return to Mother Earth. 

Once we returned home, we completed that aforementioned grooming and Mary prepared the toppings for our dinner of vegan pizza. Toppings included vegan Italian sausage, vegan pepperoni, both made by yours truly, green pepper, sliced onions and mushrooms, Mary's secret recipe pizza sauce, some garlic and oregano, and nutritional yeast. Let's just say that it was excellent.

Ready to bake.

Ready to eat!

Here s a gratuitous picture of the doomed Great Lakes freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald.

No source available and just because. 

Here too, is Gordon' Lightfoot's song,  The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, courtesy of Rhino /Warner Records and YouTube. No reason, I just like the song to play and hear.  

Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH0K6ojmGZA

At 11:37 p.m., I observed MMRR locomotives 2127 and 2025 pass by heading north, towing 10 CHCs. It is likely that the northbound run will occur around 2:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Tomorrow, Mary will be going to the big-box nearly everything store and I'll be reading and other sundry activities. Otherwise, not much is anticipated. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 11:00 p.m. in "The City." 

We have a current temperature of 60° under clear-skies that feels like 59° with winds of 11 mph. Accompanying that wind is also the continuation of the Small Craft Advisory until 7:00 a.m. tomorrow from Holland to Manistee. 15 to 25 knot winds are in the forecast along with waves of three to five feet in height. 

The sun will rise @ 7:27 a.m. tomorrow and set later tomorrow evening @ 5:28 p.m.

In between, the NWS is forecasting a high temperature for tomorrow of anywhere between 68° and 70° under partly-cloudy skies. The overnight low is forecast to fall to only 59°. 

Speaking of falling, the 1 - 2 Spartans of Michigan State, fell off a cliff this afternoon, losing to the 1 - 2 Hawkeyes of Iowa, 7 - 49. There was nothing redeeming about the game for the Spartans.

The 1 - 2 Wolverines of Michigan didn't fare much better, as they lost to the 3 - 0 Hoosiers of Indiana, 21 - 38. Not as lopsided, but a loss nonetheless. Is Jim Harbaugh's head coaching job in jeopardy? 

Today, we did those aforementioned indoor chores, along with more reading, and watching two more episodes of Lark Rise to Candleford. 

While I did make that vegan pepperoni, we had spaghetti role casserole versus pizza for dinner instead. I have it on good authority that pizza is on the menu for tomorrow. 

We spent some time on the deck with the fur-children who enjoyed their dental treats as we read our books. 

Tonight, we watched the speeches by Vice-President Elect, Kamala Harris and President-Elect Joseph R. Biden. It doesn't matter your political persuasion, what matters is that we appear to be approaching another peaceful transition of power. 

Ginger and STWD are going to get bathed tomorrow and Ginger will get trimmed, so they will get yet another treat. 

I have no plans to watch any pro football tomorrow, owing to my resolve to not waste any more time in that fruitless endeavor. 

Also tomorrow, I plan more music, that grooming/bathing time, perhaps a walkabout, and whatever else comes our way. 

That looks like enough to fill one day, so I'm outta here. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 11:00 a.m. in "The City." In response to my loyal fan base, I am returning to the blogging desk for this short blog. 

The sun rose this morning into a beautiful azure blue and sunny sky @ 7:27 a.m. It will set later @ 5:28 p.m. with an overnight low of only 53°. 

We still have a Small Craft Advisory in effect from Holland to Manistee until 11:00 p.m. tomorrow night. South winds of 15 to 25 knots and waves from three to five feet are expected.

We have a current temperature of 59° as we head for today's even better 61° forecast high temperature. 

Given the warm forecast from the NWS, I'll be sporting my summer uniform until next Tuesday. In addition, Ginger will be getting groomed tomorrow, as she can be outside to both be trimmed and also to dry after a bath. STWD will be happy to get a treat for doing nothing other than staying out of the way. 

Today, the 1 - 1 Spartans of Michigan State face the 0 - 2 Hawkeyes of Iowa @ 12:00 p.m. At the same time, the Wolverines of Michigan will be playing the 2 - 0 Hoosiers of Indiana. Neither Michigan State nor Michigan is having a great year. But, this is 2020, so...

Oh, last Wednesday, the Huskies of NIU fell to the Bulls of Buffalo, by the lopsided score of 30 - 49. The 0 - 1 Huskies next take the field against the 1 - 0 Central Michigan Chippewas, @ 8:00 p.m.

Today is a good day for some indoor chores and that's about it for me. I do have one thing I'd like to make in the kitchen, vegan pepperoni, in hopes that Mary will whip up one of her famous pizzas. But, I'm good with spaghetti roll casserole or just about anything. 

Otherwise, more college football, more reading, and that's it. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 5:45 p.m. in "The City" on this post-election Wednesday evening. Michigan has been ceded to Mr, Biden, for POTUS, but the race between Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and his GOP challenger, John James, has still not been officially called, with Peters holding a very slim lead as of now.

The NWS is reporting a current temperature of 62° under sunny skies as the sun sets soon. Tomorrow, the sun will rise @ officially @ 7:23 p.m. and set tomorrow night @ 5:32 p.m.

Tomorrow's high will only reach 58° and the overnight low will drop to 53°. It was warm enough today to allow me to wear my summer uniform once again. 

There is a Small Craft Advisory in effect from South Haven, affectionately called SoHa, and Manistree. Winds will blow @ 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots and wave heights from three to five feet.

Speaking of waves, we picked up our order at the Fast Lane™ grocery service yesterday afternoon.  

We parked in Mary's coveted Spot #1 to await our order. 

D & W has the best produce in our area. 

We then drove to the lakeshore for a photo op. While we were at the Grand Haven State Park, I took some pix of the gulls/terns, the waves, some kite boarders, and the lighthouses.

Kite Boarder in action as the sun was setting.

Since it was getting near sunset, I took these pix during what is called the "Golden Hour."

No need to fly.

Otherwise, not much was happening. We read more from Sarah Kendzior's book and worked a crossword puzzle. We watched another episode of Lark Rise to Candleford and Mary made spaghetti for dinner using her secret recipe sauce and my modified vegan Italian meatballs. Very tasty.

Then we watched the election returns until I got sleepy and headed upstairs to fall asleep in the media room with the results still coming in. 

I nearly forgot to mention. Last night @ 10:50 p.m. the southbound run of the train passed by at a high rate of speed according to my journeyman trainspotter. She thinks that an accident is just waiting to happen. Early this morning, the train passed by heading north @ 2:15 a.m. 

Today, I went to the back-forty to do battle with the fallen leaves. Since the only trees we have on our property are way in the back, I think that the leaf fairy is depositing the leaves when we are not looking. At any rate, I filled our yard waste bin and four yard-waste bags. 

I sat down at my desk to get our of Mary's way downstairs while she finished the last 12 pages in her current novel. 

Tomorrow, I plan to do as little as possible. I do have some dusting to accomplish and Ginger still needs to be groomed. But, when you reach a certain age, you put some things off for another day. 

Tonight, we look forward to TV with no political ads and that's about it. Ciao.

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:30 a.m. in "The City."

The NWS is reporting a current temperature of 45° under clear skies that feels like 41° with a 7 mph wind.

Today's high will reach 56° under sunny-skies with an overnight low of 52°. 

Until 7:00 a.m. this morning, there is a Small Craft Advisory in effect from St. Joseph to Manistee. Winds will blow from 15 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 30 knots.

The sun will rise this morning @ 7:22 a.m. and set later @ 5:33 p.m.

I was awake to watch both ends of the train run on the RSTL. Only MMRR locomotive # 2019 passed by in both directions. 

At 10:55 p.m. last night, that locomotive was observed heading south, towing 15 CHCs, all fully loaded. Earlier this mornig when I was downstairs, I observed the northbound passage with 15 CHCs, two DWTCs, and one GTC. None of those cars were loaded. 

Otherwise, not much is happening here at the manse. In the early afternoon yesterday, I spent some time in the kitchen making vegan Italian sausages. Earlier this mornig, I experimented with a different ingredient for my famous vegan Italian meatballs. I didn't have any mushrooms, so I substituted chickpeas. They required more water and they didn't roll as easy, but the taste is fine and the texture seems good. I'll leave it to Mary to make the final determination. 

We worked a crossword puzzle yesterday and we also read more from Sarah Kendzior's book, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America. That seems fitting, considering that today is election day. 

We took a walkabout with the fur-children to the Lake Forest Cemetery yesterday afternoon, but we didn't take any pix. We are trying to readjust their schedule to the change from EDT to EST. 

Today, we have some indoor chores to do and that's about it for our agenda. More reading, more music, and more TV viewing and viewing, and viewing, as we await the returns on the election. That should be enough for one day and night. Ciao. 

Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 8:30 p.m. in "The City."

I wish I could lay claim to GH being the "Windy City", but that  name is reserved for Chicago. Still, as of now, we have enough wind to call ourselves a close second. That's because the current temperature may be 39°, but a 19 mph wind makes it feel like 30°. 

Plus, there is both a Lakeshore Flood Warning and a Gale Warning in effect until 1:00 a.m. tomorrow. 

That Lakeshore Flood Warning is for the counties of Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren. Significant erosion of the dunes and the lakeshore beaches is expected.

The Gale Warning  is for the shores of Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to Manistee. Winds will blow @ 40 - 45 knots and produce waves of 12 - 16 feet, with the larger waves occurring north of GH. 

Here's another warning, not of the weather variety. Don't waste your Sunday afternoons and evenings watching the 3 - 4 Lions, who lost to the 5 - 2 Colts, 21, 41, nor the 5 - 3 Bears, who lost to the 5 - 2 Saints in OT, 23 - 26. I should know better, but I guess I am a sucker for punishment.

However, there were many good things that happened today. While those strong winds seemingly moved every leaf in GH to our back forty, not actually, but that gave me an opportunity to use Mary's camera to take some shots of the fallen leaves and the very light snow that fell throughout the day.

Underneath the fallen leaves, St. Francis has a menagerie of animals. 

Haven Henge was not spared.

The begonia garden and the space next to the stairs were also covered.

New fallen leaves attracted the attention of STWD.

And the snow too.

We had a light lunch of salad and 1/2 half sandwich before that disastrous Lions loss, followed by some nachos during half-time. Nachos good, Lions, bad.

You can't have nachos without jalapeno peppers.

Later, Mary tried out a recipe for vegan dirty rice that turned out excellent. Unlike me, she plans ahead, so she had everything chopped and ready for final assembly. 

With the Creole spice blend I"d made the other night, the rice was great.

I should mention that I also took a pic or two of the last rose that is on our living-room end table. We almost gave up on it the other day, but our reprieve gave the rose a chance to open more fully. The aroma is still there too. I couldn't decide which view I liked more, so I have included both below. 

View # 1.

View # 2.

The fur-children were in attendance for meal prep, but they only got a small amount of the tofu that Mary used to make the dirty rice. They also got a few nacho chips too. 

Tomorrow. we have nothing specific planned. Mary may go to the Fast Lane™ grocery stop, but that is not set in stone. I plan to get back to my music and do more reading. We should get back to Lark Rise to Candleford too, since football took that out of the TV viewing lineup today. 

Otherwise, the sun will rise tomorrow @ 7:20 a.m. and set later @ 5:35 p.m. Tomorrow's high will reach 52°. with tomorrow evening's low only going down to 43°. The Fur-Children are having their usual difficulties with the time change. Ciao.